Spider-Man: Homecoming, the first standalone movie for Tom Holland's version of the webslinger, is set to arrive on July 7, 2017. With filming expected to begin this summer, the Jon Watts flick has been adding actors to its cast roster every now and then.
The newest addition to Spider-Man: Homecoming is the Killer and Little Men star Michael Barbieri. The 14-year-old actor has joined the movie as one of Peter Parker's schoolmates. Heroic Hollywood and multiple other outlets have confirmed the casting.
According to Comic Book, Barbieri's character in Spider-Man: Homecoming is not one borrowed from the comics. Rather, it's an original character. However, the character is said to be based on the Korean American character Ganke, the best friend of Miles Morales, aka Ultimate Spider-Man.
Michael Barbieri’s character in Spider-Man: Homecoming is based on the Ultimate Spider-Man character Ganke! (Photo Credit – IMDB and Marvel Wikia)
The outlet suggests that Ganke's "affinity for superheroes", his "unwavering optimism", and "support of his friend" are the traits that can be expected to be found in Michael Barbieri's character in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
In the comics, Ganke is the only one with whom Miles shares his secret identity. But in Captain America: Civil War, when Tony Stark asks Peter whether anyone knows about his powers, he replies in the negative.
So, it’s unlikely that Barbieri's character has any idea about his friend being a superhero at the beginning of Spider-Man: Homecoming. Maybe he will come to know about it during the events of the movie.
Michael Barbieri's character isn't the first schoolmate for Tom Holland's webslinger that has been cast. Zendaya, Tony Revolori, and Laura Harrier will also join him in his high school.
Spider-Man: Homecoming will see the return of Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, along with Marisa Tomei, who portrayed Aunt May in Captain America: Civil War. And Michael Keaton is likely to play The Vulture in the movie.
